Tayari's Blog: BLESSED IS PEER CRITIQUE

Posted by TayariJones on June 23, 2005 08:28 AM
Filed under Writing

I like to think that I am a good and capable writer. It's sort of integral to m self-image. But I'd be nowhere without rigorous peer critique. Maybe it's just because I came into my mature writing voice via an MFA program.

While studying for the MFA (Master of Fine Arts), you spend about three years reading the work of your classmates and having them read yours. Mostly everyone hates it and I was so exception. Who were these people to tell me what "worked" and didn't work with my story? Everyone feels that her own complaints are so personal, so individual, but really, most people in the MFA have the same gripe-- just different motivations. It goes like this: "My peers are unable to recognize my genius because I am _______________ and they are ____________."

So it's funny (ha ha) when you get out and discover that you are addicted to peer critique! I wouldn't send anything out to an editor before it has been given a thorough once-over by my cirle of readers. I guess the major difference between real life and graduate school is that now I get to CHOOSE my readers. In school you have to suffer feedback from people you hate, people who hate you right back. But in real life you can get feedback from people you respect, people you admire.

But even still, it's sort of like your eyebrows waxed: "OOOUUCCCHHH! Thanks. It's so much better now."

[divider]

There are 1 comments on "BLESSED IS PEER CRITIQUE". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Ladylee

Tayari, thanks for your blog on peer critique. I am an aspiring writer, and at first I thought that the critique process was insane, having others read my work and make positive, negative, or quirky comments, but in the end, the comments have proven to be quite vital and helpful. And at the same time, critiques also help with development of new and interesting ideas.

June 24, 2005 02:54 PM

Your Comments

You are signed in as (sign out)

Please keep comments relevant to the topic. Inappropriate and offensive comments may be edited and/or removed without warning. Comments found on this site don't necessarily reflect the views of Tayari Jones.

(optional)

(required)